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KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
8.9
KazuNori’s Westwood outpost is a standing-room hand roll bar built entirely around made-to-order temaki. Warm rice, crisp nori, and high-quality fish move in a tight rhythm across the counter, making it the go-to spot in Westwood Village when you want focused sushi rolls rather than a sprawling menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro hand roll, Bay scallop hand roll, Yellowtail hand roll
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A dedicated hand roll bar where every roll is assembled to order at the counter.
Who should go: Sushi purists who love hand rolls and counter dining
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early evenings before peak line builds
What to order: Six-roll set, toro hand roll, bay scallop hand roll
Insider tip: Sit near the middle of the counter to watch multiple chefs work and get rolls the moment the nori is at its crispiest.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Village garages on Broxton and Gayley are the most reliable; meter spots on Glendon/Weyburn open up before lunch but get competitive after 5pm.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; most guests are students and locals stopping in between errands.
Noise level: Moderate — steady counter chatter and kitchen movement, but still easy to carry quick conversations.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes; the line moves fast because service is counter-style.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes; often no wait before 12:15pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — cucumber, kanpyo, and a couple of veggie rolls available.
Vegan options: Very limited — only basic vegetable rolls qualify.
Gluten-free options: Partially — fish and rice are fine, but soy sauce contains gluten; bring your own GF tamari for safest experience.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and fast; the standing counter format isn’t ideal for lingering or getting to know someone.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations — it’s all first-come, first-served at the counter. Lines move quickly because service is streamlined.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat; older kids who enjoy sushi will be fine, but the tight standing-only layout can be tough for younger children or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Ultra-fresh hand rolls assembled seconds before you eat them — few places in Westwood match the speed and quality of its temaki.
Skip if: You want full sushi menus, nigiri omakase, or a proper sit-down meal; consider a more traditional sushi bar nearby for that experience.
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
8.5
KazuNori’s Westwood bar focuses almost entirely on made-to-order hand rolls, sending out warm rice and crisp seaweed packed with high-quality fish. Lines move quickly, making it a go-to for solo sushi stops and quick dates that still feel like an occasion.
Must-Try Dishes:
6-hand-roll set with toro, crab, salmon, scallop, yellowtail, lobster, Toro sashimi, Bay scallop hand roll
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Counter-only hand roll bar where fish quality meets speed and precision.
Who should go: Sushi lovers wanting top-tier hand rolls without a long sit-down.
When to visit: Off-peak afternoons or early evenings to dodge the longest line.
What to order: 5- or 6-roll set, toro and yellowtail hand rolls, lobster hand roll.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar, eat each roll immediately, and consider a sashimi add-on if you’re hungrier.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking in Westwood Village; nearby garages on Broxton and Gayley usually have spots but can get tight during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; most guests come in everyday wear, though polished streetwear fits the vibe.
Noise level: Moderate — upbeat energy with counter chatter, but still manageable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 25–45 minutes depending on line length; the counter moves fast but peak hours back up.
Weekday lunch: Typically 0–10 minutes; short waits during UCLA class breaks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — cucumber, avocado, and a few sides are available but the menu is primarily fish.
Vegan options: Very limited — only basic veggie rolls qualify; most sauces and fillings are seafood-based.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — hand rolls can be made without soy sauce; inform staff for guidance, but there is no dedicated GF prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want something casual, quick, and still memorable — sitting side-by-side at the counter keeps things low-pressure but still special.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — KazuNori runs on a first-come, first-served counter system. Just join the line; turnover is fast even during busier stretches.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — older kids who enjoy sushi will be fine, but the counter format and focused menu aren’t ideal for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Unbeatable for fast, high-quality hand rolls with warm rice and crisp seaweed — few competitors match its speed-to-quality ratio.
Skip if: You want a full sushi bar experience with sashimi variety, cooked dishes, or group-friendly table seating.
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
8.3
KazuNori’s Westwood outpost is a focused hand-roll bar where set menus of toro, crab, yellowtail, and other fillings are built one at a time over warm rice. The tight, counter-driven space emphasizes speed and quality, drawing lines of students and locals who prioritize crisp nori and fresh fish over lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro Hand Roll, Bay Scallop Hand Roll, Crab Hand Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Single-focus hand-roll bar serving seaweed-crisp sets straight from chefs.
Who should go: Hand-roll obsessives wanting quick, high-quality sushi near campus.
When to visit: Afternoons or late nights to dodge peak dinner lines.
What to order: Toro hand roll, bay scallop hand roll, lobster hand roll.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar and order extra toro or lobster.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broxton and nearby Village blocks is metered and competitive during peak hours; the Broxton public garage usually has spaces and offers validated rates.
Dress code: Casual and campus-friendly — anything from jeans and a hoodie to simple date-night casual fits right in.
Noise level: Moderate — the counter setup means steady chatter and clatter, but you can still hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during prime hours due to steady lines and no reservations.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minute wait or immediate seating outside of the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — cucumber and avocado hand rolls are available but options are minimal.
Vegan options: Very limited — only basic vegetable rolls fit, and cross-contact is likely.
Gluten-free options: Possible — fish and rice are inherently gluten-free, but soy sauce contains gluten unless you request GF packets; no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, low-pressure dates — the counter format keeps things fun and informal, though it’s not ideal if you want a long, lingering meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — KazuNori doesn’t take reservations; just join the line. Off-peak hours dramatically shorten the wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — older kids who enjoy simple rolls may like it, but the narrow counter and quick pacing aren’t ideal for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Quick, high-quality hand rolls served at peak crispness — faster, more consistent, and more focused than most neighborhood sushi spots.
Skip if: You want a long sit-down dinner, expansive sushi menus (like nigiri flights or specialty platters), or robust vegetarian/vegan options.
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
8.3
KazuNori’s Westwood outpost is a focused hand-roll bar where guests order three-to-six roll sets built one at a time over warm rice. The streamlined menu leans on combinations like toro, yellowtail, crab, and lobster, served quickly at a long counter while the seaweed is still crisp. Lines at peak hours reflect its strong multi-platform review volume and dependable execution for students and locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
5-Hand Roll Set (Toro, Yellowtail, Bay Scallop, Crab, Lobster), Toro Hand Roll, Lobster Hand Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Single-focus hand-roll bar serving seaweed-crisp sets straight from chefs.
Who should go: Quick-service sushi seekers who prioritize warm rice and crisp nori.
When to visit: Off-peak afternoons or late nights to avoid Westwood Village lines.
What to order: 5-Hand Roll Set, Toro Hand Roll, Lobster Hand Roll.
Insider tip: Sit at the counter so rolls arrive one-by-one at peak texture.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broxton and Gayley can be tight during peak hours; Broxton Public Parking Structure usually has spots and validates for short visits.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—students and locals mix with office crowds; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate—steady counter chatter but still easy enough to hear the chefs and your dining partner.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes depending on UCLA traffic and movie-night rush.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, often under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—cucumber and other basic veggie hand rolls available but menu is primarily seafood-heavy.
Vegan options: Very limited—only simple nori-and-rice combinations; not ideal for strict vegans.
Gluten-free options: Mostly GF-friendly; rolls use rice and seaweed, but check sauces and soy options to avoid cross-contact.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, low-pressure dates where you want quick service and counter seating; less ideal if you want long, intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—KazuNori is walk-in only. Arrive slightly before peak meal times to avoid lines.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who enjoy sushi; the fast-paced counter format and limited menu may not work well for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Best for fast, high-quality hand rolls made to order with crisp nori and warm rice—ideal when speed and freshness matter.
Skip if: Skip if you want full sushi menus, sashimi platters, long dinners, or a quieter, sit-down setting.